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Comment on Jeanne D’arc by Ashley Cope

Ashley Cope — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:38:03 +0000

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Strange but entertaining, September 26, 2007

Ashley Cope (St. Petersburg, Florida United States) -

= Fun:

This review is from: Jeanne D'arc (Video Game)

Jeanne D'Arc never tries too hard, and that's what I found ultimately disappointing about the title.

The story, to begin with, never quite knows what it wants to do with itself. It begins by squinting at history and putting an interesting new fantasy spin on the old tale of St. Joan, but then decides to forget all that and obsess over a generic fantasy story replete with magic rocks, elves, and demons. Bizarre and imbalanced, you have tragic deaths alongside talking purple frogs, and historic acts of atrocity explained away by vaguely described rogue demons. While the characters are generally interesting and there's a bit of growth as the story goes along, there's no one in the cast we haven't seen before in other games and stories.

The battle system is your standard SRPG fare, and rather watered down. Equipped elemental gems affect offense and defense but there are only three of them, reducing the system to an elementary game of rock, paper, scissors. Very simplified, the game lacks Disgaea's geo panels and FFTactic's job system, reducing customization to freely interchangeable stat stones that either give a spell, a special attack, or affect stats. The different characters have different base stats but deficiencies are pretty easily made up for with items that permanently raise certain stats. With battle so streamlined and options so very limited, the system seems like it was designed for younger gamers, making battles a breeze for anyone who's finished FFTactics or Ogre Tactics. There's an attempt to introduce artificial difficulty by limiting the number of turns available to finish a battle, but I never once reached this time limit.

Nevertheless, the game's pretty fun thanks to very nice visuals and a catchy score. I'd recommend the game to anyone looking for a lighter, less strategic SRPG - an SRPG that can be picked up and played for ten minutes at a time while waiting for a bus.

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Comment on Jeanne D’arc by M. Su "More Dessert"

M. Su "More Dessert" — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:12:37 +0000

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Great fun for tactics fans out there., August 24, 2007

M. Su "More Dessert" (Los Angeles, CA USA) -

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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Jeanne D'arc (Video Game)

There isn't many tactics fans remaining, for the few us that remains, this is a great pickup. Since finishing up Advanced Wars on DS (which was awesome by the way), there hasn't been a good tactics yet.

Got the PSP just for this game. Jeanne D'arc doesn't break any new grounds, but everything it does, it does well. Music, Voice, Story, Controls, all very smooth and interesting, best of all, it brings back the good ol' memory of FF Tactics.

Update - Just finished the game.

Wow, what an experience. One of the few games I've had the patience to finish thru completely. At first, the characters seems a bit bland, once you get past about level 20, then there is plenty of customization to do. Especially when you get the Bind Skill function, it adds a new level of customization.

Pros:
*Excellent story
*Controls are accurate, the rotating camera saves the day
*Plenty of customization
*Decent length, though when you play a good game, it's never long enough
*Bargain price at $29.99, save $10 compared to the usual PSP releases

Cons: (it's very minor)
*Kind of slow - The constant loading and final boss battle
*Some characters were never used, it was repetitive with others so that made them less useful
*Weapon - Whip, did anyone get to use this?
*Could of used few more extra side quests, battleground should of been a bit deeper.

Overall this is a great buy, now it'll be really hard for D&D Tactics & FF Tactics to justify charging $10 more.

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Comment on Jeanne D’arc by Ayinde Waleed

Ayinde Waleed — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:45:14 +0000

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

Finally a SRPG to make me glad I own a PSP!!, September 25, 2007

Ayinde Waleed -

= Fun:

This review is from: Jeanne D'arc (Video Game)

With so many great looking RPG titles coming to my favorite handheld (the PSP) these past few months I have certainly had my hands full trying to play and complete them all (Hope I don't get fired from my day job). Catching my attention this time is a "Level 5" PSP exclusive title by the name of "Jeanne D'Arc." This game is everything a Strategy RPG (SRPG) should be and more. Outstanding graphics, an intriguing story and an unbelievably easy pick up and play control scheme. So let get in to the particulars of this wonderful title...

Story: 8.0
The story, which is based very loosely on the story of Joan of Arc, because it is so loosely based on the real story, it is very entertaining. Jeanne D'Arcs' story blends history and fantasy beautifully, it starts with a Young King Henry getting possessed by some demonic power. His father who possesses one of the five armlets that were created to defeat these demons centuries ago, tries to save him but is too late as the demon consumes King Henry. Then enter Jeanne a girl who witnesses her village being attacked by demons, comes across one of these armlets and also believes she hears a call from God instructing her to kill the demons that rampage her village. This ancient armlet is said to be able to transform it's wearer into a great armored warrior. The story progresses mainly with three characters, Jeanne and her two friends Lianne and Roger. Many other characters throughout their journey are introduced and play apart in the main plot, but the majority of the time they are expendable at best. It is the three main characters and their interesting personalities; however that keep the story very interesting.

Graphics: 8.5
Jeanne D' Arcs' graphics are in a word, amazing. The 2D cel-shaded graphics used to bring the colorful and vibrant characters to life are absolutely gorgeous. The developers really impress by creating a product that can really show what the PSP is capable of. To start the adventure and throughout players are treated to some very beautiful anime cut-scenes, which are worthy of praise by any anime fanboy alive. This coupled with gorgeous backgrounds, magic spells, and Jeanne's' armlet transformations are enough to satisfy anyone craving some PSP eye candy. You honestly have to see this game in action to truly appreciate it; online screenshots do not do it any justice.

Sound: 7.5
Every thing as far as background music and battle sounds like arrows whipping and other attack sounds were great. If I was a little disappointed about anything though, it would have to be the voice acting or the lack there of. It would have been nice to here them shout out some of their battle cries as opposed to having to read them in a little bubble. This is a VERY minor complaint though; it just would have been nice to hear seeing as how the voice acting in the anime cut-scenes were so great. It is also a little unfortunate that the anime cut-scenes don't include subtitles, because you'll miss a lot of the story if you play with the sound off.

Gameplay: 10
This area is where Jeanne D'Arc shows that it belongs amongst the handheld Strategy RPG greats. I could not find any flaws in the gameplay, I repeat no flaws in the gameplay what so ever. This game competes with other Strategy RPGs, by using what has always worked. You'll have at your disposable by mid game a small army, but in most cases you will only be able to take 6 in to battle. In some cases you may have less to choose because some characters are default depending on the battle. This of course adds to the tactical experience as to what members you want on the field and where to place them so you are victorious. Thankfully though the game allows you to re-visit some of the places you fought battles to make sure you can get to level up everyone in your party.

Like in any good SRPG these battles take place on a grid, and players are limited to a number of spaces they can move with an attack or use of an item/spell ends that characters turn. As players begin to find different characters with different weapons and abilities, the tactics will continue to change. Lancers, for example, can hit two spaces ahead of them, instead of one and Archers can attack from long distances causing more damage from above.

During battles, players can attack, use skills or cast magic spells. These skills can be added by collecting skill stones which players get when they defeat an enemy. Your characters can only carry six of these stones at any one time once again adding to your decision process before going in to battle, because there are more than a hundred of these stones in the game.With these stones you can choose different skills and put the on each of the characters before each battle. These skills can range from making stronger regular attacks, alter stats, or attack a number of enemies at once... Read more

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Comment on Monster Hunter Freedom Unite by D. White

D. White — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:02:44 +0000

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

Great even as...and perhaps especially so...a single player title, November 13, 2009

D. White (Mid-Atlantic USA) -

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This review is from: Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (Video Game)

This review will focus on the single-player experience. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (MHFU) is one of the most-challenging games available for any platform, and the sense of accomplishment when besting enemies in the game is unrivaled. This is especially so for those who play the game solo, relying purely on skill to get by rather than the backup and mercies of other players.

This wasn't always an entirely reasonable option in the MH series. Making MHFU significantly more agreeable for solo play is the addition of "felyne" fighters, small AI fighters who provide various support and attack roles. Primarily, they help to provide another focal point for belligerent monsters to provide necessary openings for the otherwise solo player. They can also be given a limited ability to heal or buff the player character, but at the whims of an unpredictable AI. As such, the solo player can assume the possibility of, say, an impending health boost from the felyne companion (importantly, only one accompanies you) but can only rely on him or herself to do so on demand.

Regardless, one will never get anywhere in solo MHFU without significant gameplay skills. And this can be especially daunting in the early going. There will even be those who possess the requisite gaming skills but determine this isn't for them. Which is fair, as there is no storyline worth mentioning and not much compelling progress beyond the opportunity to build better weapons and armor and fight increasingly challenging foes.

Which brings us to why some of us ARE so enthused about the game. Most importantly, there are very few games that so successfully mix graphics, sound, and control "feedback". The monsters in the game move, animate, and attack with unparalleled sophistication, making the hunt for them truly engaging. None of them are pushovers, with the exception of some early monsters being overwhelmed by significantly enhanced weaponry. Later monsters are never less than a serious challenge regardless of one's weapons and armor. Indeed, depending on monster type even the most impressive looking sword may actually rebound off the tough skin, causing a life-threatening stumble. This is the aforementioned "feedback" which really keeps a player on his toes.

The reward for this serious challenge is, as mentioned. the opportunity to make increasingly impressive--or simply fancier--weapons and armor sets...and then to try to use them successfully against a new rank of monsters. "Try" being the operative word here.

If you love true gameplay challenge and never quite feel challenged by the "bosses" in most other games...this is the game for you.

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Comment on Monster Hunter Freedom Unite by Patricia Laverty

Patricia Laverty — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:29:00 +0000

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

An Amazing Game!, July 4, 2009

Patricia Laverty -

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This review is from: Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (Video Game)

It's not difficult to see why the Monster Hunter series has become the leading PSP franchise in Japan. Offering gamers the chance to hook up together on quests to hunt ferocious monsters and search for hidden treasures across an appealing fantasy game world, this action RPG possesses many of same addictive qualities that have made other role playing games, such as the Final Fantasy titles, so popular. High praise has been lauded on the latest game in the series, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, after it became the top selling game in the Land of The Rising Sun last year, besting the likes of Pokémon Platinum and Wii Fit. In the U.S. and Europe, though, Monster Hunter faces a very different type of audience. Will it appeal to the taste of Western players?

Monster Hunter Freedom's combat mechanics will test even the most hardened of gamers. The third game in the series, Freedom Unite once again places you in the role of an up-and-coming hunter who must complete various hunting, slaying and gathering missions to achieve glory. Setting off from your base camp of Pokke Village, you pick up quests from the Guild Hall and embark on treacherous missions across stunning environments, including snow-capped mountains and harsh desert terrain.

Freedom Unite is all about learning your craft and learning it well. If you begin a quest without preparation, you'll be obliterated by the tough monsters lurking around every corner. Whether you're heading out on a level-one quest to pick mountain herbs or braving the cold desert nights on the hunt for the land shark, there's a lot to learn if you plan to come back alive and earn your reward. Combat in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is difficult to grasp at first, but once studied and practiced, it is intensely satisfying.

The lack of a lock-on targeting function means that you have no assistance in battle and ensures that combat is challenging. Freedom Unite tests your patience by pitting you against some formidable and clever opposition while asking that you spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the deep combat system. You have to learn each of the monsters' strengths and weaknesses and those of your weapons. Learning monster "tells," monitoring monster attack patterns and knowing when to strike is also part of the hunt. Other variables add even more strategic layers to the combat. The environment, for example, plays a part in battle (your energy gets sapped when it's cold), and every weapon and item you choose to bring along all factor into the equation. Make the wrong decisions and you'll head back to Pokke Village empty-handed.

Speaking of Pokke Village, there's plenty to do there as well. You're given a plot of land where you can mine, fish, catch bugs, gather mushrooms, and plant seeds to raise different crops. When you finish each quest, your farm becomes an essential visiting place that grows in stature the more you nurture it. These resources can then be used for cooking, which increase abilities, or to combine and forge new items that may come in handy during battle. Though you're constantly repeating the same actions to mine ore or catch Rumblefish, you're earning money from the land, which subsequently allows you to develop your character into a stronger hunter.

Gathering and collecting items in the game world is extremely important to your progression. Not all items must be hunted, gathered, or farmed; many objects can be combined to make more powerful objects or potions. There's a great deal of fun to be had out of finding new ingredients and then combining them. You can, for example, mix a fire herb with a nitroshroom to make gunpowder. Though there's a large element of trial and error, there's great reward for your efforts as you find and create powerful items that aid you on the battlefield.

Part of the appeal of the Monster Hunter series in Japan is the ad-hoc multiplayer functionality, which allows up to four players to meet up and embark on quests together. In the U.S. and Europe, however, that feature isn't such a strong selling point -- there just isn't the same social PSP-playing culture in these two territories as there is as there is in Japan. Social hand-held gaming in the U.S. and Europe is largely faceless, an activity confined to gamers' living rooms and bedrooms where there's an Internet connection. In fact, you're more likely to get mugged getting your hand-held out in public than to find a like-minded gamer to join your lobby for a spot of monster hunting. It's a crying shame that Freedom Unite doesn't offer true online functionality, because the four-player questing is absolutely brilliant. So, the bad news is that unless you've got a bunch of mates willing to join you around your house, your Monster Hunter experience is going to be a lonely one.

Still, with demanding and fun combat mechanics and a huge... Read more

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